Debbie Forward acclaimed Registered Nurses’ Union president for ninth term

Northern Pen

Published: Oct 11 at midnight

Updated: Oct 12 at 2:42 p.m.

['Debbie Forward — File photo']

Debbie Forward has been acclaimed as president of the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador (RNU) and will serve a ninth consecutive term effective Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2020.

Forward has been a registered nurse for 37 years and is currently serving her 21st consecutive year as union president.

“I’m honoured registered nurses continue to support me as leader of RNU,” Forward said in a news release. “I’m ready and eager to meet the challenges that lie ahead, including securing a fair and respectful collective agreement for our members.”

The positions of vice-president and secretary-treasurer of the RNU board of directors have also been acclaimed. Yvette Coffey of St. John’s was elected to her second term as vice-president and Tony Moores of St. John’s will begin his first term as secretary-treasurer. Both are also registered nurses.

“Advocating for safer registered nurse staffing will remain a huge focus for our board and branch volunteers over the next three years,” Forward said. “When there are safe RN staffing levels and healthy work environments, patient outcomes improve and the cost to deliver health care decreases. It’s in everyone’s best interest that RN staffing practices are improved.”

In addition to the president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer, 11 regional representatives sit on the board. The regional representatives, all registered nurses, who were elected and acclaimed are:

Region 1 – Ashley Jones

Region 2 – Gina Elliot

Region 3 – Mike Fagan

Region 4 – Christa Philpott

Region 5 – Brenda Dicks

Region 6 – Deneka Pottle

Region 7 – Mark Aylward

Region 8 – Niki Parsons

Region 9 – Rosalie Gillis, Miranda O’Driscoll and Kimberly Parsons

The Registered Nurses’ Union represents more than 5,700 registered nurses in the province.